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Topic: This is tennis. Do you recognize it? Rafter-Agassi 4R 1997 US Open (Read 7071 times)

I believe (and my 'perception' could be wrong) but there has been a gradual shift among the pro ranks over the past 20 years to larger and larger head sizes. The poly helped facilitate/accelerate that shift. The Boyz of Old used smaller heads, but I'm not going to go digging again.

Regardless of all this back and forth, I believe most of us here would like to see more variety in the men's game. If, when, and how that might be accomplished remains to be seen.

I believe (and my 'perception' could be wrong) but there has been a gradual shift among the pro ranks over the past 20 years to larger and larger head sizes. The poly helped facilitate/accelerate that shift. The Boyz of Old used smaller heads, but I'm not going to go digging again.

Regardless of all this back and forth, I believe most of us here would like to see more variety in the men's game. If, when, and how that might be accomplished remains to be seen.

Money talks, as long as the ATP/sponsors keeps banking there is no inclination on trying to move the game forward. But there are many factors outside of ATP control.....tennis academies, philosophy of how the game should be play and so on. Right now, it's being maximize giving the conditions and technology. ATP has to make the first move, and maybe 10 years from now that change will start paying fruits.

BTW, I really don't follow the discussion on head size and when it took place. Roger uses a 90sq and hits modern strokes with tons of spin...........so restricting the head size along to say 95? will not yield the results you seek. Hate to repeat myself but, bring in a full grass season with two 1000s events and a few 500 and 250 over the span of two months. Do the same with the a fast indoor season and I'm sure the academies and software around the world will built tennis players that will maximize their game on those conditions.

Oh, good for you, hunting. My track record of never being wrong remains in tact.

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Never????

man don't make me dig stuff up

so you do believe this shift to bigger frame took place at the end of the 90s? Most players like rafa came in early 00s............although Robredo for some reason uses a 102sq and he an older dude, Ferrer as well uses a 100sq.

I know I used to use Pete's and Jim's frame, Wilson Pro Staff, in the '90s, the I switched to Andy's Babolat Pure Drive+ circa 2003. It made the Wilson feel like a piece of wood. Today, I hit every crazy sick shot in the book. You name it, I've hit it. With great infrequency and inconsistency, but I've hit it. I mean ripped it! I've pulled off shots in my 40s that I couldn't approach in my 30s.

With today's technology, I can blast balls and put all kinds of spin on it. Btw I play a lot like Rafa when I return serve. I stand 12' behind the baseline and remain well back. I have a variety of serves and do S&V on occasion, but I'm terrible at volleying, so I mostly stay back. That said, with today's frames some of my mis**ts are my best shots. My tiny Wilson wasn't forgiving.

A bit of clarification as to when he thinks poly came into vogue for the majority of ATPers isn't quite so clear.

I am my own man. I'm not even my own "best poster". But thanks for that.As for when poly came into vogue, I would say when Federer started dominating, along with Nadal's clay domination. That's when I first heard about it. Federer put into the mains on his racquet, and Nadal was using a full poly string job as long as I've known of him.Maybe there were players who used poly prior to 2004/5 or so. But that's when I first heard discussion of it on tennis broadcasts, so I would say it started 3 or 4 years before that. Usually it takes awhile for what happens on court to migrate up to the announcer's booth. The article linked above says Kuerten was using it. So maybe he was the first.

Logged

Is a tree as a rocking horseAn ambition fulfilledAnd is the sawdust jealous?I worry about these things .Kevin Godley & Lol Crème (I Pity Inanimate Objects)

BTW, very FEW players uses a 100sq size..........even club players don't use that big of a size, damn even myself a nobody in tennis uses a 98sq size. Do you know how many pros uses 100sq? I know Rafa is one, in the other hand Novak uses a 93sq if I'm not mistaken. Didn't Pete went up to 88sq recently? I know Wilson made one specially for him.

The gloves are off with you, just so you know........so be careful on your future posts when addressing me again or perhaps the board

A bit of clarification as to when he thinks poly came into vogue for the majority of ATPers isn't quite so clear.

I am my own man. I'm not even my own "best poster". But thanks for that.As for when poly came into vogue, I would say when Federer started dominating, along with Nadal's clay domination. That's when I first heard about it. Federer put into the mains on his racquet, and Nadal was using a full poly string job as long as I've known of him.Maybe there were players who used poly prior to 2004/5 or so. But that's when I first heard discussion of it on tennis broadcasts, so I would say it started 3 or 4 years before that. Usually it takes awhile for what happens on court to migrate up to the announcer's booth. The article linked above says Kuerten was using it. So maybe he was the first.

That's the first I heard of it. Big Banger it was.Tried it myself as an option to Kevlar.Am sure it was strung too tightly and I was/am too much of a hacker to tell the difference.I love the feel of Lux Alu though (1 out of 100 strokes)!